George County alum and Southern Miss football players Marcus “MJ” Daniels Jr. dies in Hattiesburg shooting late Tuesday

According to a press release from the University of Southern Mississippi and the Department of Athletics, 21-year-old Marcus “MJ” Daniels Jr.’s life was taken on Tuesday evening during an off campus incident.

Daniels Jr., a former George County two sports student-athlete, was found unresponsive in his vehicle on Tuesday. The Hattiesburg Police Crime Scene Unit confirmed Daniels had been shot and was pronounced dead on the scene.

It goes on to say that Daniels Jr., a Lucedale native, had been a member of the Golden Eagle football team since to 2023-24 season. Since his tragic passing, college football program throughout the Magnolia State have posted to social media to give their thoughts and prayers to the Daniels family, including JMU, Ole Miss, and Southern Miss.

George County high school football coach James Ray spoke to Sports 25 following Daniels passing about the kind of person he was both on and off the football field by saying, “He was everything. I mean students, teachers, coaches – you could just not be mad at MJ. He had that personality. You could be as mad as you wanted to be and he was going to find a way to make you laugh. He worked his butt off and obviously was a great athlete. You knew what you were going to get every Friday night with him, you know, and most of the time he was going to be the best player on the field.”

Brandon Davis, the George County high school baseball coach, also contacted WXXV Sports to provide a statement. He says, “MJ Daniel was an amazing human being, respectful and talented. We are all saddened by this loss. Praying for the family.”

The University of Southern Mississippi Student Counseling services has been made available to members of the Golden Eagle football program and individuals close to the university.